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The lost Incan city of Machu Picchu in Peru - Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Walk, Peru
The lost Incan city of Machu Picchu in Peru
Plenty of colour on the streets of Cusco - Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Walk, Peru
Plenty of colour on the streets of Cusco  | Richard I'Anson
Trekkers along the Salkantay Trail - Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Walk, Peru
Trekkers along the Salkantay Trail  | Luc Kohnen
15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a 2,430-meter (7,970 ft) mountain ridge. - Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Walk, Peru
15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a 2,430-meter (7,970 ft) mountain ridge.
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Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Walk

Explore Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu on a guided adventure, featuring ancient Inca ruins, scenic train travel and Machu Picchu.

Peru
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 5 reviews

10 Days from

$ 

Trip Code: SVT
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Essential Information
Duration
  • 10 Days
Activities
  • 7 day walks
Style
  • In Comfort Adventures  
Accommodation
  • 9 nights hotel
Meals
  • 6 Lunches
  • 9 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
3 / 10

Introductory

Carbon Footprint  

39kg of CO2-e PP per day

(351kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • The splendor of Cusco with its churches, cathedrals, plazas, markets and cultural heritage
  • Walking in the beautiful Sacred Valley to view ancient ruins and the famous Inca salt pans
  • Trek final section of Inca Trail to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu
  • Visit Machu Picchu on two occasions and at the best times of day
  • Tourist train to Km104 and from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
  • After each day walk return to comfortable hotels for overnight accommodation

Overview

Discover the ancient wonders of Peru on this 7-day journey through Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Explore Cusco's historic streets, impressive Inca ruins and vibrant markets before travelling through the spectacular Sacred Valley to discover Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Enjoy a scenic train journey to Machu Picchu, where a guided visit provides an opportunity to explore this extraordinary Inca citadel and its breathtaking mountain setting. With knowledgeable local guides, comfortable hotel accommodation throughout and no camping or multi-day trekking required, this adventure offers a rewarding way to experience Peru's rich history, culture and spectacular Andean landscapes.

Itinerary

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You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel located in the historic centre then you will have some time to explore the city and also enjoy a few hours of rest, essential to initiate successful acclimatisation to the altitude. In the evening you will meet with your guide at 6pm at your hotel for an initial trip briefing. Max elevation: 3,400m / 11,155ft Accommodation: Hotel Hacienda 7 Toritos or similar

Meals: Nil

Today we explore the fascinating city of Cusco (3,400m / 11,155ft), once the capital of the Inca Empire and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, much changed since Francisco Pizarro’s men took it in November 1533. We begin at the Santo Domingo Convent, a Renaissance-baroque complex built over the sacred Coricancha Temple, which ancient chronicles say was covered in gold leaf and whose Inca foundations are still visible today. We continue to Cusco Cathedral on the Main Square, renowned for its ornate altarpieces and remarkable collection of Cusco School artworks, then venture into the hills above the city. Here the impressive ramparts of Sacsayhuaman Fortress offer panoramic views over Cusco, Qenqo reveals where the Incas are believed to have practised agricultural rituals, and the “red fortress” of Puca Pucara still shows its walls, towers and aqueducts. Our final stop is Tambomachay, with its beautifully preserved Inca stonework and ceremonial water channels, before we return to our hotel at midday, with the afternoon free to browse Cusco’s open-air artisan markets. Max elevation: 3,400m / 11,155ft Accommodation: Hotel Hacienda 7 Toritos or similar

Meals: B

We drive to the Chinchero Plateau where we visit a famous traditional weaving cooperative. After visiting the picturesque colonial church we will make our way down through the spectacular Inca terraces. Here we'll start a 3 hour downhill walk along a beautifully restored Inca highway to the Urquillos valley. After reaching the small town of Urquillos we drive along the Sacred Valley to Yucay where we spend the night. Walking: 8km / 5mi, 3 hours, max elevation 3,670m / 12,041ft Accommodation: La Casona de Yucay Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L

After a leisurely breakfast we drive up to a hill high above the valley that affords superb views across to the snowpeaks of the Urubamba Range. From here we walk down through the extensive terraces and ruins of the Pisac Inca fortress and citadel. These ruins are a rare combination of residential, military and religious construction that offer some of the best examples of the stunning stonework for which the Incas were famed. After lunch in Pisac we continue to wander around the extensive crafts market before heading back to Yucay. Max elevation: 2,972m / 9,751ft Accommodationt: La Casona de Yucay Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L

Drive to Moray, where we'll experience brilliant views of many of the snow peaks and glaciers that surround this high plateau. We also explore the unusual amphitheatre-like circular terraced ruins which are believed to have been an Inca agricultural research station with different micro-climates at each terrace level. From here we head to the salt mines of Maras. This village is a salt-producing centre that dates back all the way to pre-Inca times. There are thousands of salt pools all carved into the mountain side. Due to a change in regulations, visitors are not allowed to walk through the salt mine anymore to avoid contamination of the salt. We will go to a lookout point from where we have stunning views of the salt pools. From here we will walk for about 1 hour mainly downhill to Pichingoto where the salt miners live. Enjoy this rarely walked path and soak up the incredible setting of the Sacred Valley. Our car will be waiting for us in Pichingoto and we will be driven the short distance to our hotel in Ollantaytambo. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the beauty of this famous town. Walking: 12km / 7.5mi, 4 hours, max elevation 3,500m / 11,483ft Accommodation: Tikawasi Valley or similar

Meals: B,L

After an early 7am start, we drive up through the Andes into the high Patacancha Valley, home to traditional Quechua communities that still keep many of the customs and ways of life inherited from Inca times. We begin in the village of Patacancha, with time to explore its rural architecture and see the traditional dress still worn here, before setting out on foot along ancient paths framed by mountains and agricultural terraces to the neighbouring community of Huilloc. Here we gain a closer look at daily life and the community’s deep connection to the land, then continue our walk, pausing for a box lunch in the heart of the valley, to the archaeological complex of Pumamarca, with its network of Inca terraces, canals and pathways. From Pumamarca the trail descends to Ollantaytambo, one of the last living Inca towns, where we take time to wander its ancient streets and original stone structures before returning to our hotel. Accommodation: Tikawasi Valley

Meals: B,L

After a very early 5am start, we drive to the village of Cachicata, set beside the Urubamba River across from Ollantaytambo, and begin our walk up to the Inca quarry of Cachicata (3,210m / 10,531ft). This hillside was where the Incas carved and extracted the huge blocks used to build Ollantaytambo and other nearby structures, and along the path we pass the “tired stones”, enormous rocks abandoned on their journey down the valley that reveal the remarkable scale of Inca engineering. For those keen to go further, there is the option of a longer hike to Intipunku (3,925m / 12,877ft), Cachicata’s own Sun Gate, an ancient stone gateway high on the mountain with superb views of snow-capped Mt Veronica (5,590m / 18,340ft). We stop for a box lunch surrounded by the sacred Apus, the mountain peaks revered by the Incas, before descending to Cachicata village and returning to our hotel in Ollantaytambo. Accommodation: Tikawasi Valley or similar

Meals: B,L

Today we transfer to Ollantaytambo railway station and board the train to Km 104, the starting point of our Short Inca Trail trek. Crossing the Urubamba River, we begin our walk with a visit to the archaeological site of Chachabamba before ascending through lush Andean vegetation towards the impressive Inca ruins of Wiñayhuayna (2,700m / 8,858ft). Here we enjoy a packed lunch surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery and ancient agricultural terraces. Continuing along the historic Inca Trail, we make our way to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), where we are rewarded with our first breathtaking views of Machu Picchu (2,430m / 7,972ft). After taking in this unforgettable sight, we descend towards the citadel and board a bus to Aguas Calientes, where we settle into our comfortable hotel for the evening. Walking: 12km / 7.5mi, 5–7 hours, max elevation 2,745m / 9,006ft Accommodation: El Mapi Hotel or similar PLEASE NOTE: All trekking distances and walking hours per day are approximate and the length, distance per day, start and finish time can vary depending on the group size, ability and weather conditions.

Meals: B,L

After breakfast, we return to the magnificent Inca citadel of Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the Royal Circuit. Over approximately two and a half hours, we explore the lower section of this remarkable archaeological site, discovering its fascinating history, impressive stonework and extraordinary Inca architecture. Highlights include the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Condor and the Three Doorways, offering a fascinating insight into daily life within this ancient city. Following our visit, we return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding the scenic train to Ollantaytambo, a journey of approximately one and a half hours. On arrival, we transfer by private vehicle to Cusco, where we return to our hotel. Accommodation: Hotel Hacienda 7 Toritos or similar NB - depending on train schedules, we may arrive into Cusco very late at night. *Important: To ensure the protection and conservation of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and enhance the visitor experience, several restrictions and regulations are in place. The site features three main circuits divided into ten predetermined routes. Visitors are limited to a maximum of four hours within the site to reduce congestion and preserve the ruins, and admission is not permitted after 4pm. Additionally, all visitors must be accompanied by a guide. Despite these restrictions, World Expeditions endeavours to ensure you have a memorable and fulfilling Machu Picchu experience.

Meals: B

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in Cusco where our trip concludes.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

7 scheduled departures between 10 May 2027 and 27 Sep 2027.

  • Departs 10 May 2027 – ends 19 May 2027 (10 days)
  • Departs 7 Jun 2027 – ends 16 Jun 2027 (10 days)
  • Departs 30 Jun 2027 – ends 9 Jul 2027 (10 days)
  • Departs 12 Jul 2027 – ends 21 Jul 2027 (10 days)
  • Departs 16 Aug 2027 – ends 25 Aug 2027 (10 days)
  • Departs 6 Sep 2027 – ends 15 Sep 2027 (10 days)
  • … and 1 more departures.
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • 9 breakfasts and 6 lunches
  • Airport transfers if arriving/departing on first or last day of the trip
  • Comfortable and central hotels
  • Expert bilingual walking guides
  • First aid kit and oxygen on the Inca Trail day
  • Private internal transportation
  • Sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed, including the Cusco Tourist Ticket and Machu Picchu entry
  • PeruRail Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104, and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Machu Picchu buses
  • Luggage transfer between hotels

Not included

  • International flights and taxes
  • Visas
  • Meals not stated in itinerary
  • Personal expenses such as beverages, laundry costs, phone calls, etc
  • Excess baggage costs
  • Tips
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Any items not listed as included

About your guide

Our guides are bilingual and our treks are conducted in English.

Reviews (5)

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Fantastic Trip

Natasha Leanne|United Kingdom
20 Sep 2026
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A serious and very well organized company, go with peace of mind with them, I experienced two perfect trips with them

Julie Théberge|LÉVIS, Quebec Canada
25 Sep 2024
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Absolutely amazing trip. Everything organised so well from start to finish. Ever the guide was truly amazing/ inspiring guy. Very knowledgeable. Help us and shown us the amazing tour for the days. So much fun.

One thing would change is the guides being provided accommodation in same towns/ hotels as us travelers. 2.5 hours back home after a long day is not correct then 2.5 hours back next morning for us.

We did offer to cover his hotel cost but he politely declined the offer.

Mark Robertson|Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
24 Sep 2024
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I cannot say enough of how incredible it was to have Juan Manuel aka Juan Flores as our guide! He is a fascinating human being with such a passion for climate activism, ornithology and his Inca heritage. His background and story are just awe inspiring and he was such a kind, generous and helpful person not to mention of course what a knowledgeable guide! Honestly it was sad to say goodbye to him...just amazing! He made it very special and also very successful for us by starting with ceremony to Patchamamita (Mother Earth) who I think definitely helped make the climb up the 12kms relatively easy - although it also helped that Juan Manuel carried my small daypack around a few of the more narrow steps/twists and turns which was more kind than he needed to be - but it was appreciated nonetheless! Also getting the 2 days in Macchu Picchu and access to pretty much everywhere was exactly what I had hoped for...it truly is a magical peaceful place!

E.Karsten and P.Hilderston|NSW, Australia
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The most memorable part was the Sunrise at Ollantaytambo Inca citadel.

Jean Hillier|Palmyra, WA

Extra trip info

AccommodationWill My Trip Run?FAQsWhy Book With Us
Casa Andina Classic Miraflores Centro, Lima

Accommodation – Single supplement

We can arrange a single room for you if you are travelling alone and don’t want to share with another traveller (additional cost). If you prefer to share, please advise us at the time of booking and we will try to match you with another person of the same gender and also willing to share. If we cannot match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge.

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.
Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.
Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.
Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings.

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run.

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route.

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

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Yes. On Day 8, you'll hike the Short Inca Trail from Km 104, passing Chachabamba and Wiñayhuayna before reaching the famous Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu.

The Short Inca Trail involves several hours of walking, including uphill sections, stone steps and uneven terrain. A good level of fitness and preparation is recommended.

Yes. On Day 9, you'll enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu's Royal Circuit, exploring the House of the Inca, Temple of the Condor and Three Doorways.

No. This itinerary includes the Short Inca Trail as a day hike, followed by comfortable hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes. No camping is required.

You'll travel by train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 to begin your hike. After visiting Machu Picchu, you'll return by train to Ollantaytambo and transfer by vehicle to Cusco.

The operator's itinerary identifies Wiñayhuayna at approximately 2,700m (8,858ft), while Machu Picchu sits at 2,430m (7,972ft). The trail involves walking at altitude.

You'll need a comfortable daypack carrying drinking water, a rain jacket, warm layers, sun protection, snacks and personal essentials. A packed lunch is provided during the hike.

This trip combines cultural sightseeing with the Short Inca Trail hike. While no previous trekking experience is required, a good level of fitness is recommended for the uphill sections, stone steps and uneven terrain. The trip is best suited to travellers who are comfortable walking for several hours, even if they don't regularly undertake multi-day treks.

Cusco sits at approximately 3,400m (11,155ft), while Machu Picchu is at 2,430m (7,972ft). The itinerary allows time in Cusco to begin adjusting to the altitude before exploring the surrounding region.

Yes. Experienced local bilingual guides accompany scheduled sightseeing excursions, including visits to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

You'll stay in comfortable, well-located hotels throughout the journey, including accommodation in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. No camping is required.

May to September generally offers drier weather and clearer mountain views, making it ideal for hiking the Short Inca Trail. The wetter months bring greener landscapes and a greater chance of rain.

Weather in the Andes can change quickly, with rain and cloud possible throughout the year. Your guide will manage the day's activities according to conditions and local regulations.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Many travellers can visit Peru visa-free for tourism, but we recommend checking the latest entry requirements before departure.

Yes, comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory and must cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation and the activities and altitudes included in your itinerary.

  • Experience the Andes at a rewarding pace with a thoughtfully planned itinerary that combines cultural discovery, spectacular mountain scenery and unforgettable hiking experiences
  • Discover Peru's rich Inca heritage through guided visits to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and remarkable archaeological sites, including Pisac and Ollantaytambo
  • Experience the iconic Short Inca Trail with a guided hike through Chachabamba and Wiñayhuayna to the Sun Gate, offering spectacular views of Machu Picchu
  • Explore Machu Picchu with expert local guides who bring the fascinating history, architecture and cultural significance of this extraordinary Inca citadel to life
  • Enjoy comfortable hotel accommodation throughout with no camping required, combining an active hiking experience with the comfort of well-located hotels
  • Travel with confidence and excellent value with experienced local guides, organised transport, scenic train journeys and included sightseeing arrangements

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